Erie’s only independent source for news and culture BEN November 12-25 / Vol. 4, No. 23 / ErieReader.com SOLLEE The Popular Genre-bending Cellist and Composer Brings His Distinct Brand of Indie Folk to Erie

Downtown Erie: Food Desert Dahlkemper's Proposed $26M Public Safety System Tom Green Q&A

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2 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 12, 2014 CONTENT — NOVEMBER 12, 2014 From the Editors

reate a network, set your portation and a convincing reason vision, and find yourto visit and stay in the area. In short, Cgame-changer. Denver can market itself as two im- Features Those were three things Bruce Katz portant Cs: Convenient and cool — told a packed house at the Jefferson which, according to Katz, is what 10 — Ben Sollee Educational Society Thursday, Nov. keeps Denver from being more than The Popular Genre-bending Cellist and 6 during his Global Summit VI pre- a fly-over city with people en route to sentation: “The Metropolitan Revo- better, brighter, bolder places. Composer Brings His Distinct Brand of Indie Folk lution — The Future of Erie?” A third C to add to the mix in the to Erie He also stressed the importance mile-high city is collaboration. of collaboration, told the audience Rather than continually competing 23 — Pro Wrestling that health, prosperity, and compet- against each other, creating rifts Editors-in-Chief: itiveness will be determined at the within their communities, munic- Brian Graham & Adam Welsh Alive and Well in Erie, Pa. city and metropolitan level, and that ipalities agree to work together for Managing Editor: success in the 21st century lies in the a common good and clear vision of Ben Speggen hands of cities, not governments. growth, which cultivates develop- Contributing Editor: The Vice President of The Brook- ment and prosperity instead of stag- Rebecca Styn ings Institution and Founding Direc- nation and atrophy. Editor -at-Large: News & Opinion tor of the non-partisan think tank’s But one doesn’t have to look as far Cory Vaillancourt Metropolitan Policy Program all but as Denver to have hope for Erie. Katz Contributors: held a mirror up to the audience and lauded Buffalo’s thoughtful work Alex Bieler 4 — Street Corner Soapbox asked those in attendance to take a with its health-care system that Mary Birdsong The Truth Behind the GOP’s Midterm Elections Pen Ealain long, hard look to understand the resulted in thousands of new jobs Rick Filippi Sweep community’s identity as we wal- within the city. And young people, Eric Kisner low in the midst of a post-industrial talented people, people thoughtful James R. LeCorchick 5 — The Way I See It identity crisis. Manufacturing, he about their locales are more inclined John Lindvay said, can aid both blight and flight. to call Buffalo home because of the Lili Morton Dahlkemper’s Proposed $26M Public Safety But it doesn’t have to be the manu- developing arts and culture scene. Dan Schank System facturing of yesteryear; rather, it can If we go back to the beginning, Jess Scutella Tommy Shannon be new and fresh and dynamic. Man- there’s still the task of creating a Ryan Smith 6 — Just Toyin’ Witcha ufacturing, after all, is what we know network, setting a vision, and find- Jay Stevens (as a possibility, think: 3D printing). ing a game-changer. Which is risky Rebecca Styn The End of Cor-bott Skeptical? Examine Northeast business, really. But the greatest risk, Bryan Toy Ohio. Katz — very much a boots- Katz warned in the Q&A following Cory Vaillancourt 6 — News of the Weird by Chuck on-the-ground kind of guy who vis- the presentation when asked to ad- Jim Wertz Shepherd its cities to study them relentlessly dress Erie’s risk-adverse nature, is Publisher’s Assistant: — did, and he points to the region’s taking no risk at all. Jessica Courter 7 — Taking It to the Streets ability to still make as its ability to Taking risks isn’t the same as gam- Cover Design: Bike Safety in Erie thrive. They, simply put, have creat- bling. Rather than leaving destiny Leah Yungwirth ed a network, set their vision, found to chance, to wish and dream that Photographers: their game-changer, and they know someone will do something, taking Ryan Smith 8 — Considering The City what they’re good at. Which is what calculated risks can propel Erie for- Brad Triana is leading to Katz’s “metropolitan ward. Soon, presentations will be Designer: Desperately Seeking Supermarket revolutions,” where cities become fo- made to make public “key recom- Leah Yungwirth cal points by taking control of their mendations” for Erie that may be Design Intern own destinies, since as he warned, some of those calculated risks. That Liz Venuto 26— ER Sports “no one is coming to save you.” If you is, Destination Erie: A Regional Vi- Writing Interns: need proof, you needn’t look further sion is hosting six community pre- Michael Iverson than Detroit. The city was left for sentations throughout the county Christopher Sexauer dead, and if it wasn't for a group of beginning Monday, Nov. 17 and con- millionaires and philanthropists, it cluding Thursday, Nov. 20. 1001 State St. Suite 901 most likely would be. If you’ve been keeping track of the Erie, Pa., 16501 Culture Yes, our industrial landscape may Destination Erie timeline, the plan is [email protected] be a shell of its former self — busi- nearing the finish line. Soon, what The Erie Reader is Erie’s only independent 14 — Calendar nesses leaving, shrinking, and shut- comes out of this plan may be the fu- source for news and culture. The Erie Reader ting doors isn’t new — but the infra- ture of Erie and the region. is a forum for ideas and discussion, and seeks to drive two-way communication with its 22 — Music Reviews structure is here. And yes, it’s rusty, It was refreshing to see some of the readers. At the Erie Reader, we endeavor to but perhaps it’s time to get out the leadership from Destination Erie highlight the best of Erie by providing in-depth, magazine-style journalism that cuts to the 24 — Tom Green white vinegar and get to work in in the crowd at Katz’s presentation, heart of the issues that matter to Erie. The Erie cleaning it up. hopefully taking copious notes and Reader is published every other week at The Corry Journal, 28 W. South St., Corry, Pa. 16407. Still Crazy After All These Years An easy — but important — first setting up interviews afterwards. The Erie Reader is distributed at over 250 high step is to emphasize, promote, and What would be even more refreshing foot-traffic locations in Pennsylvania from North East to Girard to Edinboro. In addition 25 — Geeked Out foster development with a reason would be to see at-capacity turnouts to appearing in print, Erie Reader adds new — aside from jobs — for people to at each of the community presenta- content daily at ErieReader.com as well social MU Professor wants to help pre-entrepreneurs media sites. All rights reserved. All content © choose to live where they do: Arts tions, to see citizens prepared with Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State St., Suite with Quickstarter and culture. That, Katz outlined, is research and informed questions, 901, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The what Denver did to create a strong, to see collaboration, to witness net- opinions of our columnists and contributors vibrant urban core. Couple that with working, and to see the unfurling of are their own and do not always reflect 25 — Tech Bits that of the editorial board or organization. the FasTrack commuter train run- a set, clear vision. Direct inquiries to 814.314.9364 or contact@ Verizon Wireless Under Fire for Ad-Targeting ning throughout the region and you If we don’t, Erie may become noth- ErieReader.com. Program get a marriage between easy trans- ing more than a fly-over city.

November 12, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 NEWS & OPINION

Street Corner Soapbox The Truth Behind the GOP’s Midterm Elections Sweep

By: Jay Stevens

he American people went to the polls care costs. Pennsylvania for evidence of that, where on Nov. 4, and spoke with one voice Even on foreign policy, where Obama's Republicans won 13 of 18 Congressional Tagainst liberalism, against the Demo- leadership has at times seemed slow or House seats. That comes to 72 percent of cratic Party, and against the terrible, disas- muddled, the administration's actions the House districts in the state, a number trous polices of President Barack Obama. have been a success. We're out of Iraq. far out of line with the 55 percent of voters The Republican Party and its ideals and pol- We're drawing down in Afghanistan. And who opted for Republican House candi- icies have won an overwhelming mandate. Obama's non-intervention in Syria seems dates across the state. At least, that's what you'd think after lis- all the more justified given the rise of ISIS But the real reason for the 2014 results is tening to pundits and conservatives on Nov. among Syrian rebel groups – and even that Democratic voters did not turn out. 5. But that ain't exactly what happened. Obama's ability not to overreact to that Consider: the 2014 elections drew just over To be sure, the GOP made tremendous group makes sense, given that it’s hardly a 36 percent of registered voters, the lowest gains in Congress. They picked up seven threat to national security. since the 1942 midterm election – one that Senate seats and 12 House seats, and now A majority of Americans agree with occurred in the middle of a war. And those have a majority in both bodies – the big- Obama in wanting comprehensive immi- that voted in 2014 tended to be older and gest Republican majority in Congress since gration reform and gun control. And the whiter than in the previous elections. Ac- 1929. (A significant historical date that cording to NBC exit polls, 37 percent of the should now send a shiver up your spine.) 2014 voters were over 60 – compared to 25 On the state level, too, Republicans have percent in 2012 and 23 percent in 2008. Af- picked up several gubernatorial seats and rican-American, Latino and women voters won historical majorities in legislatures. were also more likely to stay home in 2014. There's no doubt the Republicans enjoyed By most That turnout is partly due to Republi- significant electoral success. can voter suppression tactics. Twenty-two But why? election-day states passed laws making it harder to vote Most are blaming the unpopularity of – from tightening registration rules, to re- President Obama. But by most election-day measures – quiring photo IDs, to ending early voting, measures – unemployment, economy, bud- states targeted left-leaning voters in their get issues – Obama's presidency has been a unemployment, voting laws. great success. He stewarded the recovery But really the blame lies with the Demo- from the Wall-Street-created crash that economy, cratic Party itself. That's the kind of turnout welcomed his presidency. Employment you'd expect for a political party that spent rates are at their highest levels since 2008 the last election cycle backpedaling as fast – and the country has enjoyed 49 straight budget issues as it could from its accomplishments. That months of job growth. Stock gains during put forward no beliefs, ideas, or values. the Obama presidency were nearly twice – Obama’s That, when given the opportunity to laud what they were in the 1980s under Presi- liberalism and its social and economic dent Reagan. Obama rescued the domes- presidency has gains, instead turned to self-loathing. That tic auto manufacturing industry. Under abandoned its base, eschewed grassroots Obama, the Consumer Confidence Index been a great organization for big-money donors, and has tripled, and the national budget deficit neglected state-level and local candidates. is down 6 percent of GDP since the George success. Democrats in battleground states, like Col- W. Bush administration. orado, told Obama to stay away from their When you consider the state of the econ- races. Some Democrats even ran ads tout- omy when Obama took office, it's stagger- ing their opposition to Obama's policies. ing we've come so far in so short a time. Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, for exam- It's the kind of economic performance that issues that Obama hasn't done well on – ple – who faces an uphill battle in a runoff prompted Forbes magazine this summer to say, civil liberties: the NSA, federal whis- election – decried Obama's energy policies wonder if Obama were the best President, tle-blowers, the US assassination program in an ad. Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas – who economically, our country has had. (The – conservative voters don't care about. lost his re-election bid – ran an ad against answer: maybe.) But is Obama really unpopular? Current- Obama's gun control proposal. Kentucky It's got to be health care, right? The Af- ly, his popularity is at 42 percent approval Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes fordable Care Act – or “ObamaCare” – is a rating, according to Gallup, which is only even refused to admit she voted for Obama disaster, right? Certainly Republicans are a few points lower than the average presi- in 2012. treating it as such, and in August, a Kaiser dential rating for this point in a presiden- You got the definite feeling that the only Family Foundation poll found 53 percent cy. And Obama's approval rating is much value high-profile Democratic candidates of Americans viewed the ACA unfavorably ahead of House Speaker John Boehner's (28 held dear was the desire to stay in office. – although that's down to 43 percent in its percent) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Everyday Americans looking for represen- most recent poll. But the law has reduced Reid's (21 percent) or even Congress' (14 per- tation in government were left in the cold the numbers of uninsured by as much as cent). What's behind the sweep, then, if not and voted accordingly. 11 million. And 75 percent of ObamaCare Obama? Obama just may be the best thing about enrollees are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” There's gerrymandering, of course. Be- this bloated, moribund, do-nothing, gutless with their coverage, according to a Com- cause Republicans controlled more state version of the Democratic Party. monwealth Fund study. Evidence also legislatures after the 2010 Census, they shows that the bill has helped health care were able to create more Republican-friend- Jay Stevens can be contacted at Jay@ outcomes – especially among the young – ly Congressional and legislative districts. ErieReader.com, and you can follow and contributed to the slowdown of health You don't have to look much further than him on Twitter @Snevets_Yaj.

4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 12, 2014 NEWS & OPINION

The Way I See It To invest, or not to invest taxpayer money in the Public Safety Radio System – that is the question. TV 54.1 • Radio 91.3FM • WQLN Education • Q-Media By: Rebecca Styn Schedule Highlights

irst responders in many communities all over the country still work with inef- Fficient and potentially dangerous radio communications systems – often due to fi- nancial constraints, because overhauling or rebuilding these vital networks is extremely costly. Erie is no different. County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper has proposed a public safety radio system to be part of the County’s upcoming 2015 budget, which is one of the most expensive items therein. With a total price tag of $26.4 mil- lion, it makes up close to one-third of the $96.3 million budget. As part of this proposal, Dahlkemper wants Erie County Council to sign off on using $10.5 million in county reserve funds to make pay- ments for at least the first five years of a 20-

year capital improvement bond. But County TALUS Council members have concerns about the financial aspects of the proposal, including dominant dispatch center – which is anoth- Public safety infrastructure is a costly, concerns that not enough time exists to fin- er reason for the lag in a centralized system. but worthwhile investment. ish a funding plan for the safety system prior The reasoning behind it could be an aversion to the next council meeting (Nov. 18), when to change that could cause confusion, in a a budget is expected to be passed. field where any delay in action can literally Council of Governments, or another inter- Dahlkemper said she hopes that other be life threatening. governmental group that operates in Erie funding sources, including grants and pri- In September, McMurray-based MCM County. If the county were to apply and be vate funds from businesses and foundations, Consulting Group Inc., – which conducted awarded the funds, they could receive up- could help pay for the new radio system. If a county-funded study of the radio issue wards of $100,000 to be used towards the that doesn't happen, Dahlkemper admitted – published its findings in a 57-page doc- project. that roughly $2.1 million in yearly radio sys- ument that ultimately concluded that the Yet the bottom-line questions remain: Is a tem debt would likely be paid with taxpayer current system is inefficient and should be total overhaul of the radio system necessary, dollars from the county's general fund bud- scrapped. Under the umbrella of county dis- and if so, at what cost should this overhaul get. Erie County Council, though, has the fi- patching responsibilities, there are 34 volun- be completed, and who should foot the bill? nal say on whether to fund the project. teer fire departments, two city (Corry & Erie) The way I see it: Public safety is the top pri- To grasp the magnitude of the situation, police departments, 19 municipal police de- ority. The longer the county sustains the ex- the Erie County Department of Public Safety partments, one sheriff’s department, EMA, isting network for a short-term answer to a is charged with the duty of handling all 9-1-1 and EMS, all operating on either Low-band big financial question, the more money we calls, the dispatching of emergency person- VHF, high-band VHF, UHF, or 800 MHz radio are throwing away in the long-term in an nel, and the management of rescue services frequencies, without any real ability to com- effort to provide a “patchwork” to a current throughout the county. The inability of municate with one another. process that should most likely be obsolete. townships and cities to communicate with There are plenty of silver linings should While adapting to a new environment is each other – or even the Department of Pub- the county decide to make the proposed in- not easy, if the money spent literally saves lic Safety – since they each utilize indepen- vestment. Aside from the most pertinent the life of one person, it will far outweigh dent radio systems remains a chief concern. – public safety – it ultimately will provide the costs. I’m not generally a proponent of When the county established its present some cost savings. The current system re- taxing and spending measures, but if a tax 9-1-1 center in May 1993, the task was to con- quires the rental and maintenance of many increase is necessary, this is one issue that nect the local, municipal, and city commu- radio sites; these rentals carry a total price of I support as a taxpayer because this invest- nications systems (dating back to 1974 when around $209,000 per year. ment is worth the cost. Union City was the first community to go on- But chiefly, this system would allow re- While the county receives some emergen- line) that existed within the county. Then in sponders to communicate on common fre- cy services funding through wireline tele- 2009, the 9-1-1 Center began providing dis- quencies on the 20 communication towers phone surcharges, perhaps in the future patch services. Over the years, these updates throughout Erie County to be built over sev- they should consider having a public safety and connections led to a Band-Aid solution en primary communication zones, with the reserve fund for core public priority issues. via a “spider web” system of circuits and city of Erie and Millcreek Township being This would prevent the county from dipping links being installed wherever and when- their own separate zones. into reserves or increasing taxes – especially ever a need arose. Today, Millcreek’s depart- The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authori- in a climate of tight budgets and increasing ments operate on an ultra high frequency ty may also offer a way to help offset a small scrutiny. The need to protect the public will (UHF) while county departments commu- portion of the financial burden. The author- only grow in the future, and in the end, our nicate on a low-band frequency. Without a ity's Multi-Municipal Collaboration grants ultimate goal should be to create a safer, mechanism to connect the two, the parties program, which started in 2012, would be a more secure, and thriving community. still don’t have the ability to fully communi- fit to possibly help fund the project. Each cate with each other. grant must have a minimum of two parties, Love? Hate? Agree? Disagree? I want to hear Some areas of the county did not – and still which could include a municipal govern- from you. Email me at rStyn@ErieReader. do not – want to participate in having a pre- ment, municipal authority, the Erie Area com and follow me on Twitter @rStyn.

November 12, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 5 JUST TOYIN’ WITCHA — BY: B. TOY NEWS & OPINION

everal News of the Weird stories mentioned News of the Weird SBody Dysmorphic Disorder sufferers who sought the ultimate treatment: amputation By: Chuck Shepherd of healthy body parts on irrationally aesthetic grounds, led by castration-desiring men. Now, Baby Beauty 15-year-old Danielle Bradshaw of Tameside, manda Collins, 28, took "beauty pageant England, also wants a useful leg amputated — Amom" to the next level (down) earlier this but not irrationally. Her "developmental dys- year when she entered her daughter Luna in plasia" caused the amputation of her useless Britain's UK Princess and Prince International right leg, but the resultant stress on the left — based entirely on Luna's ultrasound scan at one has weakened it, and besides, having tak- age 20 weeks. Said Collins, "As soon as I saw en up competitive running, she wants Oscar her image on the screen ... I knew she was a Pistorius-style blades instead of her current stunner." Contest officials had accepted the prosthesis, which slows her down. Howev- scan application, and six weeks after birth, er, no hospital has yet agreed to perform the Luna was named runner-up in the Princess surgery, considering the leg's continued func- and Prince, and on top of that, four weeks tionality and Bradshaw's young age. [Daily later, runner-up in Miss Dreams UK. "All she Mail (London), 9-18-2014] has to do," said Collins, "is lie in my arms and smile as I stroll down the catwalk." [Daily Mail Suitors Doing It Wrong (London), 10-26-2014] ews of the Weird's stuck-in-chimney Nstories usually involve burglaries gone Recurring Themes wrong, but when Genoveva Nunez-Figueroa, n September, at the annual 10-day Phuket 30, was rescued by firefighters in a Thousand IVegetarian Festival in Thailand (ostensibly Oaks, California, chimney in October, it ap- promoting abstinence from eating meat), doz- peared only that she was unwantedly trying ens of men pierced and sliced their mouths, to visit an ex-boyfriend. (The police report cheeks and arms in religious devotion in a diplomatically had her intent as "unclear.") spectacle which, though blood-drenched, (2) In August, John Lind, 34, became the most was supposedly free of pain (and subsequent recent frustrated admirer so infatuated with scars) because the fanatics were in God-im- a co-worker that he was moved to ejaculate posed trances. The display supposedly brings multiple times on her desk and into her coffee "good health, peace of mind and spiritual cup. He said he wanted her to "notice" him. cleansing," and includes walking on hot coals [KTLA-TV (Los Angeles), 10-19- 2014] [WC- and climbing blade-embedded ladders (both CO-TV (Minneapolis), 9-3-2014] barefoot, of course), all to the accompaniment of fireworks and the ear-shattering pounding Perspective of drums.[Huffington Post UK, 9-29-2014] he most recent "segregated sidewalks" dis- Tpute in a community with a large, strict rad Culpepper played defensive tackle Orthodox Jewish population occurred in Sep- Bfor nine NFL seasons and, not surpris- tember in the English town of Stamford Hill, ingly, applied for disability when he retired, when Haredi Jews, trying to remove tempta- since his medical folder listed 14 MRIs, head tions, placed sidewalk signs (for an upcom- and knee trauma and neurological and vi- ing parade) reading, in English and Hebrew, sion problems — which resulted in doctors "Women should please walk along this side declaring him "89 percent" disabled and the of the road only" (since sect members are for- Fairmont Premier insurance company giving bidden even to brush against people of the him a $175,000 settlement. Fairmont sued opposite sex except for close relatives). The recently to get its money back, claiming that Hackney council ordered the signs removed Culpepper is, and was, "exquisitely fit," as because befuddled, sometimes outraged, evidenced by a September 2013 Tampa Bay non-Haredis complained. [London Evening Times feature on his gym workouts, and in Standard, 9-19-2014] his having earned a martial-arts Black Belt, and in his participation for 14 days in the lorida is well-known not just for its "stand grueling TV series "Survivor: Blood vs. Wa- Fyour ground" defense to the use of deadly ter" in 2013. [Tampa Bay Times, 9-17-2014, force, but to the pro-gun interpretation given 9-19-2013] it by some judges and juries. On the other ex- treme, however, the legislature has enacted ngry taxpayers and retail customers an unusually severe penalty for any "aggravat- Asometimes protest their debt by paying ed assault" that includes gunfire — a "man- the bill with containers of coins (especially datory minimum" of 20 years in prison. Lee pennies), but what if a company did that to a Wollard, now 59, faces a 2028 release date be- customer? A court had ruled that Adriana's cause he fired a warning shot into the wall of Insurance Services in Rancho Cucamonga, his home in 2006 to scare off his 16-year-old California, had unjustifiably ejected (and as- daughter's boyfriend, who was threatening saulted) 74-year-old Andres Carrasco from the girl. Judge Donald Jacobsen said in court its office when he complained about a can- that he disagreed with his own sentence, celed policy, and ordered Adriana's to pay him but that his oath required him to impose it. about $21,000. Consequently, in August, the (In a similar 2012 News of the Weird Florida still-irritated company dropped off at least 16 domestic violence "warning shot" case, Ma- buckets full of coins at the customer's lawyer's rissa Alexander, 31, remains in prison with a office. [Los Angeles Times, 8-6-2014] release date of 2032.) [CBS News, 10-5-2014]

6 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 12, 2014 NEWS & OPINION

Taking it To the Streets In 2102, a van and a narrow patch of asphalt changed Bob Sonnenberg’s life permanently.

By: Mary Birdsong

bicycle commuter in Erie, Bob Son- of Portland, OR, could real- nenberg was riding on the bikeway ize $7 to $12 billion savings Aby the Bayfront Parkway, west of the in health care costs by the Chestnut Street boat launch where it nar- year 2040, just by expanding rows quickly to less than four feet to the left its bicycling infrastructure. of three planting beds. Portland holds one of the few Sonnenberg was on the left of one of those platinum-level ratings from beds when a van struck his bicycle. He suf- the League of American Bi- fered multiple fractures in his upper left cyclists. arm. Now, Sonnenberg no longer commutes The non-healthcare-related on his bicycle and still suffers from pain. economic benefits are real as There were two ironies to this event: The well, if not more compelling. accident occurred four months after Penn- In Minnesota, for example, sylvania enacted a law requiring motorists the Department of Employ- to give bicyclists a 4-foot berth, and it took ment and Economic Develop- place on what is considered one of the saf- ment estimated that, in 2009, est bikeways in the community. the value of all goods and One of Bike Erie’s board members, Eric services attributed to bicycle Brozell, says, “Erie is not, by any means, a bi- riders’ spending came to $261 cycle- or pedestrian-friendly city. There are million, supported more than absolutely no bikeways that go south from 5,000 jobs and helped gener- the center of the city and the worst is upper ate $35 million in taxes. Peach Street; there are barely any sidewalks Studies nationwide have let alone bikeways.” shown that bike-friendly cit- A recent improvement in bike infrastruc- ies have more thriving small ture has been the installation of bike racks businesses because cyclists throughout the downtown and nearby (and pedestrians) are more areas, thanks to a design collaboration be- apt to stop, investigate, and tween the Erie Art Museum and other com- buy because they are more

munity agencies. Also, more employers KREUGER PAUL fully engaged with their en- have started providing secure long-term vironment. Bottom lines at bike parking for their employees, and local versing their cities safer for cyclists and are announced plans to more than double the retail shops often blossom handsomely, es- buses now have bike racks installed for cy- both bronze-level members of the League of amount of bike routes by adding 70 miles pecially if cyclists have a convenient place clists to use. In addition, automobile drivers American Bicyclists, an awards process that of dedicated lanes, trails, and pavement to secure their bicycles are now more aware and tolerant of cyclists must be applied for and renewed every four markings. The goal of the master plan is to Bike Erie is doing its part to increase the than they were a decade ago, according to years. connect every Cleveland neighborhood to a bike friendliness of the city. Members are Brozell. Earlier this decade, Cleveland adopted a bikeway network. working with The Downtown Partnership to But Erie still remains far from being a bi- bikeway master plan and established nu- This past September, Pittsburgh opened a create a bike-friendly downtown and with cycle-friendly community. Cleveland and merous trails and bike lanes throughout the protected, two-way bike lane on Penn Ave- Erie Insurance to help it meet the needs of Pittsburgh have committed to making tra- city. In January, the planning commission nue going into the heart of the city, the street cyclists who work there. BE’s Peddle Meddle that topped the list of bicycle accidents in program, provided by the Sisters of St Jo- Pittsburgh between 2005 and 2009. seph, teaches bicycle mechanics and safety Why bother making Erie a bike-friendly to 12- to 17-year-olds. city? Simple: because a bike- and pedestri- It also has a working relationship with an-friendly city is healthier. Erie City Mission's Grace House, where it It has been proven that the physical health provides bicycles and safety information to of the community improves as people get women. “Maintaining a bicycle is far more more exercise, and less carbon dioxide is economical than keeping an automobile on pumped into the air with fewer cars on the the road,” says Brozell. “It’s a great way for road. Cycling has been shown to improve people in lower economic circumstances to mental health and productivity, as well, re- improve their budget.” ducing costs for businesses. But, I hear you asking, what about Erie It can also lead to health care savings. A winters, the snowfall? How can we ever pro- study in the Journal of Physical Activity and vide a bike-friendly environment with two Health found that the bicycle-friendly city feet of snow? Perhaps the Scandinavians can answer that question, since every country in that Wider and more clearly defined bike region makes the top-ten list for most lanes (above) promote increased bicycles per capita. And they see some bicycle traffic and make cities and snow. regions more bike-friendly by making If they can figure it out, so can we. them safer. Planters in the middle of bike lanes (below) create unnecessary Mary Birdsong can be contacted at [email protected], and you can obstacles and risks for bikers.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED follow her on Twitter @Mary_Birdsong.

November 12, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 7 NEWS & OPINION

Considering the City Desperately Seeking Supermarket

By Civitas members Lisa Austin and Stephen Sonnenberg

y definition, a food desert is a neigh- borhood without a grocery store with- Bin one mile. When Bradley’s Shur-fine on West Eighth Street closes in a few weeks, downtown Erie will meet this criteria. Residents without the means (or ability) to own and drive a car will have to find a ride for the four to twelve miles round-trip to the nearest grocery store: Erie County Farms (2256 Broad St.); Wegmans (6143 Peach St.); Yorktown’s Giant Eagle (2501 W. 12 St.); Whole Foods Cooperative (1341 W. 26 St.), or a Tops Market (1520 W. 26 St., 712 W. 38 St. or 1702 E. 38 St.) According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 27,932 people live in downtown Erie: The northern boundary is Presque Isle Bay; the south- ern boundary is the CSX railroad tracks; The Bayfront Connector marks the eastern boundary; and Interstate-79 and the Bay- front Highway define the western boundary. Transit advocate Julie Minich of All Aboard Erie reports that the best bus routes run during weekdays and that routes are “more limited” in the evening and on weekends – which is when most people shop for grocer- ies. Minich warns that, without bus shelters, it can be “miserable” during rainy and snowy weather and that “groceries … get soaked.” Sue Moyer, who lives and works in the PHOTO CONTRIBUTED downtown, notes that a “full-service neigh- borhood grocery store is important to the that some individual and family household enforcement be willing to prioritize atten- Bradley’s Shur-fine on West Eighth health of residents,” especially those with incomes” are significant but are “spent tion at a future grocery store – or – could the Street will soon shutter its doors, a limited income, and she notes that “[the outside city, because there are no places to community subsidize the costs of hiring a making downtown Erie a food desert. city of] Erie has a 29.2 percent poverty rate.” spend downtown.” But not enough people security guard? Moyer says that elderly and disabled shop- who have options actually shopped at Brad- Moyer explained that the PA Fresh Food pers have great difficulty “carrying multiple ley’s Shur-Fine, leaving us with two import- Financing Initiative supported the costs of a sufficient source of food. To promote good bags” for several blocks over uneven and ant questions: Why? and What can be done? "employee training and security and loss health, and to revitalize our city, we need a un-shoveled sidewalks. A few years back, it was clear someone was prevention systems," the purchase of ener- supermarket downtown. While Farmers Markets are available in gy-efficient coolers and freezers, and in the Our community and elected leaders must downtown Erie, they are seasonal and lack art of arranging produce in “attractive dis- work with the city’s economic develop- fresh meat, fresh fish, and baked goods. In- plays…in the front of the store.” But, State ment staff to respond to this emergency. stead of making a trek to a distant supermar- Contrary to the Rep. Pat Harkins reports that Gov. Tom Cor- How about coaxing the Whole Foods Co- ket, many residents will shop at a mini-mart, bett cut funding to this program; perhaps op on West 26 Street to open a location at a gas station, or a dollar store. Unfortunately, views of some of Governor-elect Tom Wolf will restore this Bradley’s Shur-fine? Why not use the pow- the highly processed products filling those initiative. er of Gannon’s small business students stores contribute to health problems. The our leaders, dollar Though Bradley’s Shur-fine’s location is and Mercyhurst’s interior design students Center for Disease Control reports that “food passed by hundreds of commuters rushing to work with the International Institute deserts … lack access to affordable fruits, stores are not a into work each morning, commuters don’t and create a World Grocery Store? The vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk...” pass the store on their way home from work “Our West Bayfront” organization would and the American Nutrition Association sufficient source because West Eighth is a one-way street. probably be willing to support this kind of notes that the fast food and “quickie marts” Why not rethink this one-way status? Seat- project. offer primarily processed, sugar-heavy, and of food. tle Urban Designer Dave Sucher encourag- Are you the innovative entrepreneur who fat-laden foods that foster obesity. es making all commercial streets two-way is willing to invest in a downtown super- West Eighth Street is already in decline. streets because “drivers tend to slow down market, make some money and accept the When Bradley’s Shur-fine closes, the vacant actually investing in Bradley’s by cleaning it when facing opposing lanes of traffic” – appreciation of a city? Cultivating a grocery corner at Walnut and West Eighth streets up inside, expanding the produce offerings, which helps local businesses. A two-way store in Erie’s food desert is your – and our – won’t help our beloved Pie in the Sky restau- and cooking great meals, with their oxtail West Eighth Street might make Bradley’s challenge. rant or Meuller’s Key Shop. soup filling the store with a savory appeal. more attractive to an investor. Erie County Councilman Andre Horton But there were problems. Theft was an issue, Any schoolchild knows that food, shelter, Civitas members can be reached at says the closing of Shur-Fine is “heartbreak- and a “wall of shame” featured photos from and water are necessary for survival. Lake their website www.civitaserie.com, via ing.” But is there a silver lining? More than surveillance cameras – encouraging some Erie is full of water. A variety of market-rate Facebook at CivitasErie, by emailing Lisa@ 20,000 downtown residents are not living shoppers to take their business elsewhere. and affordable shelter (housing) can be civitaserie.com, or by scheduling a Friday in poverty. Moyer notes that a market study Perhaps because of the losses, Bradley’s pric- found downtown. But, contrary to the views morning meeting at the Civitas office in done by the Downtown Partnership “showed es are higher than big-box stores. Would law of some of our leaders, dollar stores are not the Masonic Building, 32 W. Eighth St.

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November 12, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 9 FEATURE GLINT STUDIOS GLINT

Sollee will soon hit the road for a short tour, including a stop at the Ben Sollee Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts The Popular Genre-bending Cellist and Composer Center. will take the stage at 7:30 p.m., and the au- dience will be right there with him thanks Brings His Distinct Brand of Indie Folk to Erie to MIAC’s special seating arrangement. You see, instead of being stretched out across the By: Alex Bieler Performing Arts Center, this show invites en Sollee just can’t stop working. The Charlotte Ballet. culminates with a Thursday, Nov. 20 per- the crowd to join him behind the stage cur- man that NPR’s Morning Edition called Needless to say, he’s a busy man – and that’s formance at the Mary D’Angelo Performing tains to witness Sollee’s take on folk, blue- Bone of the Top Ten Unknown Artists not even mentioning his duties as a loving Arts Center at Mercyhurst University right grass, R&B, and whatever styles the gifted of the Year back in 2007 has been providing husband and father. here in Erie. musician decides to employ in his intricate the public with plenty of opportunities to be- “I really love creating, and I hate to miss an The show – proudly sponsored by the Erie arrangements. come familiar with his name, starting with opportunity to create and perform,” Sollee Reader, by the way – is part of the Mercy- “It’s really nice, because you don’t even his 2008 debut album Learning to Bend. said over the phone just a couple of days af- hurst Institute for Arts & Culture’s Live Per- have to work at breaking the fourth wall,” Just this year alone, the 30-year-old cel- ter having finished a small tour out to Kan- formance Series, which has already brought Sollee said of the intimate seating arrange- list and composer released his score for the sas, now back home in his home state of impressive artists such as Anais Mitchell ment. “It’s a wonderful thing because you documentary Maidentrip, was one of the art- Kentucky. and William Close to The Flagship City. The can really bring the audience into the fold ists who participated in the tribute to Paul True to form, he’s still working, having just night will include a performance by the lo- and tell the stories and be a little bit more Simon at Carnegie Hall in New York City, gotten out of a meeting for a ballet produc- cal jazz-tinged folkies The Heliotropes in the intricate with the arrangement of the songs, supported fellow musician William Fitzsim- tion called Postcards in America that he’s do- D’Angelo lobby as well as samples from La- because the audience is right there with you. mons on the road, spent some time touring ing in Louisville. Soon, he’ll be back out on very Brewing Company, both of which start You don’t have to communicate over 300 in Europe, and even performed with the the road for a short November tour, one that at 6:30 p.m. Then the talented Mr. Sollee feet; you have to do it over 30 or 50 feet. That

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12 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 12, 2014 makes a big difference when you’re talking about groove in a song.” Ever since he first picked up a cello at age 9 while growing up in what he called a “mu- sically-rich family,” Sollee has been a big proponent of a song’s ability to create kin- ship between communities and make an impact in the world around you. It’s part of the reason why he made his second album Dear Companion, a collaboration he did with fellow Kentucky musicians Daniel Martin Moore and My Morning Jacket’s Jim James that focuses on the topic of mountaintop re- moval coal mining and the impacts it has on surrounding areas. Sollee’s not afraid to use his craft to speak out on what he considers important. In fact, just engaging other people through his music is a major point of emphasis for the extroverted musician, whether it’s a crowd of 2,800 at Carnegie Hall or the 200 stage-dwellers at the D’Angelo. “I feel in some idealistic way that [differ- ent creative outlets are] all pretty much the same thing; it’s just connecting to oth- er humans,” Sollee said with conviction. “I see music as a social art form more than anything else. When you look at it from that perspective, you find yourself not really taking into account the scale [of the perfor- mance] or the venue as much as the people.” Given his desire to reach out to people

through a variety of media, it’s not too sur- PHOTO CONTRIBUTED prising that Sollee would want to connect with different communities off the stage as well as on one. What you might not guess is Current TV. Like many nationally touring lost opportunities to check out these poten- Sollee travels about a third of his the tool he used to start reaching out to new musicians, Sollee spent a lot of time moving tially interesting environments nagged at touring miles on his special bicycle, areas: the Xtracycle. about the country by van or plane, methods him, but then he discovered the utility bike the Xtracycle. The Xtracycle is a load-carrying bicycle which provided fast travel but limited his and an idea came to the creatively-minded that Sollee discovered after watching an chance to stop by many different areas that Kentuckian. advertisement on the now defunct channel could be found between show locations. The “I just thought to myself ‘Holy crap, I can up stops in New England and the Midwest put my cello on there,’” Sollee said. “I decided to put his warm compositions on display be- I was going to do my first tour down to Bonn- fore reaching The Gem City for an intimate aroo Music Festival, which is about 330 miles show that will allow Sollee to connect with from my hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. the denizens of Northwest Pennsylvania. I called up the company and told them what Some people may be dismayed due to the I wanted to do, and they shipped me a bike.” ongoing news stories involving greed, cor- Thus the Ditch the Van Tours were born. Al- ruption, and terror, but Sollee looks into the though touring by bicycle provided a more light, knowing that we can make the world a environmentally-friendly method of travel, better place if we put our minds to it. Sollee’s first ride to the Manchester, Tenn. “I believe in the inherent good of people,” grounds that are home to Bonnaroo provid- Sollee said. “You’ve got to be optimistic; I ed quite a challenge. don’t see how you can be any other way. The “The tour was really hard,” Sollee said, a moment music stops exciting me enough touch of weariness in his voice when he to think that it can create connections and recalled the first bike voyage. “South is change communities, that’s probably the not downhill, so I really struggled because time I should stop playing music.” I hadn’t trained for it, but at the end of the Luckily for us, he likely isn’t stopping any tour, I really felt like I had gone through time soon. Sollee already admitted that he’s some type of metamorphosis and really dis- got plans to work on another score for a covered some type of pace that made more documentary when he returns home after sense to me than van touring and plane the Erie show, just another way for the cre- touring.” ative musician to help spark a conversation Ever since that first “Ditch the Van Tour,” through his craft. Sollee has been on a mission to do about a Want to connect with Sollee when he third of his touring on bicycle, travelling comes to Erie? Head to miac.mercyhurst. about 5,000 miles without use of motorized edu to purchase tickets for an event that vehicles since his first trip back in 2009, promises to be a wonderful and intimate despite the fact that bike touring is actually performance by a critically-acclaimed per- less profitable, even without extra expenses former. such as gas and vehicle repairs given that the trips take roughly twice as long with Alex Bieler can be contacted at aBieler@ half the amount of shows as a normal tour. ErieReader.com, and you can follow

GLINT STUDIOS GLINT Soon he’ll be back out on the road, hitting him on Twitter @Catch20Q.

November 12, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 13 CALENDAR AVAILABLE ONLY FOR THE MONTH World-renowned Flutist Brings Healing Message of Music to MIAC OF NOVEMBER 2014 t’s a simple message: Mu- EverybodyEverybody isis GobblingGobbling Isic heals. Simple, but powerful, and AboutAbout ThisThis it’s the message behind Samite Mulondo’s life’s work. Samite, an international- GreatGreat Special!Special! ly celebrated flutist, is the founder of Musicians for World Harmony, a nonprof- it that works with children 11x17 Only $ and young adults in Africa ea. – often child soldiers, AIDS 1.00 SINKOW CHERYL Posters orphans, and refugees; in short, the kids “who were *80# Matte Cover, 1 Sided, No Bleed exposed to the worst trag- edies.” Aid comes to these communities in the way of food, medicine, and education, but “sometimes, we forget about healing the soul,” Samite says, “and I think music has the pow- er to do that.” So in African villages, Samite and his nonprofit provide music therapy, and Only ¢ foster young talent when they see it, all to promote peace, healing, and humanity. 8.5x11 25 Samite knows the healing power of music; himself a refugee, he fled his native Uganda ea. in 1982. Already a phenomenon in East Africa thanks to his prowess on the flute, when he Flyers *60# Text, 1 Sided, No Bleed finally settled in the United States in 1987 (he now lives in Ithaca, N.Y.), he brought his love of music with him. After a weeklong residency in Erie working with local organizations, such as The Barber Go Ask Alice! 814-833-9020 Center, the Mercy Center for the Arts, and ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum, Samite will take the stage Friday, Nov. 14 at the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture for a one-night-on- Presque Isle 4523 W. Ridge Road ly performance with Grammy-winning jazz and classical guitarist David Cullen. Printing Services Erie, PA 16506 The pains of Erie might not go as deep as those who Samite works to heal in Africa, but if music can act as a cathartic tool for those who have seen some of the worst tribulations the world has to offer, imagine what it can do for you. – Sara Toth 7:30 p.m. // Walker Recital Hall, Mercyhurst University, 501 E. 38th St. // 824.3000 www.presqueisleprinting.com @GoAskAlice08

MUSIC Presque Isle Downs and Stoned & Beautiful Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. w/ The Remnants presqueisledowns.com. 2Blue Nov. 14 — 9 p.m. Nov. 13 — 6 to 9 p.m. Me & Julio King’s Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. facebook.com/kingsrookclub. Victor’s at the Bel-Aire Nov. 14 — 9 p.m. Clarion, 2800 W. 8th St. belaireclarion.com. The Brewerie, 123 W. 14th Taylor Maid St. brewerie.com. Nov. 14 — 9:30 p.m. Glenn Rankin Mike Edgerly Doc Holliday’s, 7425 Schultz Nov. 13 — 6 to 9 p.m. Road. dochollidays.net Nov. 14 — 6 to 9 p.m. Sprague Farm & Brew Works, 22113 U.S. 6, Venango. The Ugly Tuna Tavern, Trans-Siberian Orchestra sleepingchainsaw.com. 1010 Peninsula Drive. uglytunatavern.com. Nov. 14 — 7:30 p.m. Glow Paint Party Erie Insurance Arena, 809 Salmon Frank French St. erieevents.com Nov. 13 — 9 p.m. Nov. 14 — 6 to 9 p.m. Sherlock’s, 508 State Unodained w/ Sleeze St. 453.7760. Sprague Farm & Brew Works, 22113 U.S. 6, Venango. Limit 69 and Volcano Dogs Nov. 14 — 9 p.m. Chris Higbee sleepingchainsaw.com. Sherlock’s, 508 State Nov. 14 — 9 p.m. Samite St. 453.7760. Presque Isle Downs and Nov. 14 — 7:30 p.m. Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. 2Blue presqueisledowns.com. Walker Recital Hall, 501 E. 38th St. miac.mercyhurst.edu. Nov. 15 — 6 to 9 p.m. Frank Singer Duo w/ Anchor In, 3122 West Derf Hopsecger Sean Patrick and the Lake Road. 833.1212. Newgrass Revolution Nov. 14 — 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 14 — 7 p.m. Chris Higbee Anchor In, 3122 West Nov. 15 — 9 p.m. Lake Road. 833.1212. McCoy’s Barrelhouse and Grill, 1013 State St. Presque Isle Downs and mccoysbarrelhouse.com. Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. Jackson Station presqueisledowns.com. Happy Hour Slaughter in the Meridian, Nov. 14 — 5 p.m. Playoff Beard, Oh No! It’s Freakbass Sherlock’s, 508 State Mustard Gas!, JC Nickles, Nov 15. — 7 p.m. St. 453.7760. and Awake at Last Docksider Tavern, 1015 State St. 459.0099. Matt Gavula Nov. 14 — 9:30 p.m. Nov. 14 — 5 to 7 p.m. The Beer Mug, 1108 Liberty St. 454.4753. I-90s

14 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 12, 2014 Nov. 15 — 9 p.m. Ben Sollee Jackson Station Sherlock’s, 508 State Nov. 20 — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 — 7 p.m. St. 453.7760. Mary D’Angelo Performing McCoy’s Barrelhouse Arts Center, 501 E. 38th St. and Grill, 1013 State St. Kublai Khan w/ Barrier, miac.mercyhurst.edu. mccoysbarrelhouse.com. Gift Giver, Take Over Soldiers, and Agathist Big Dog Acoustics Jeff Jensen Nov. 15 — 6 p.m. Nov. 20 — 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 21 — 6 to 9 p.m. Basement Transmissions, Sprague Farm & Brew Works, Sprague Farm & Brew Works, 145 W. 11th St. 22113 U.S. 6, Venango. 22113 U.S. 6, Venango. basementtransmissions.com. sleepingchainsaw.com. sleepingchainsaw.com. Mercyhust University Sean Patrick and the Jesse Weston Jazz Ensemble Newgrass Revolution Nov. 21 — 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 15 — 8 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 20 — 9 p.m. The Ugly Tuna Tavern, Taylor Little Theater, 501 Sherlock’s, 508 State 1010 Peninsula Drive. E. 38th St. mercyhurst. St. 453.7760. uglytunatavern.com. edu/events. Bucket List Next of Kin Refuge Nov. 21 — 9 p.m. Nov. 21 — 9:30 p.m. Nov. 15 — 9:30 p.m. Presque Isle Downs and Doc Holliday’s, 7425 Schultz Doc Holliday’s, 7425 Schultz Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. Road. dochollidays.net Road. dochollidays.net presqueisledowns.com. X-Whites w/ We Shady Side Chickstock featuring Hit the Fan Nov. 15 — 6 to 9 p.m. Claire Stuczynski, Nov. 21 — 9 p.m. Sprague Farm & Brew Works, Brooke Surgener, and Sherlock’s, 508 State 22113 U.S. 6, Venango. Whitney White St. 453.7760. sleepingchainsaw.com. Nov. 21 — 9 p.m. King’s Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. Erie Day School Arts Special Guest w/ facebook.com/kingsrookclub. and Music Festival Liquid Nixon Nov. 22 — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 15 — 9 p.m. Chris Mathers Erie Day School, 1372 W. Sixth King’s Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. Nov. 21 — 5 to 7 p.m. St. 392.2933 or 572.8876. facebook.com/kingsrookclub. Presque Isle Downs and Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. Geek Army Tchaikovsky’s Fourth presqueisledowns.com. Nov. 22 — 9 p.m. Nov. 15 — 8 p.m. Presque Isle Downs and Warner Theatre, 811 Dom & Tonya Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. State St. eriephil.org. Nov. 21 — 9 p.m. presqueisledowns.com. The Brewerie, 123 W. 14th The Cryptics, Crystal St. brewerie.com. The HighLife w/ Methodist, Bad Faith, Dani and Marky G Archyway, Dysmorphia, DJ Barry Carew Nov. 22 — 9 p.m. and JC Nickles Nov. 21 — 10 p.m. King’s Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. Nov. 19 — 5:30 p.m. McCoy’s Barrelhouse facebook.com/kingsrookclub. PACA, 1505 State St. and Grill, 1013 State St. paca1505.com. mccoysbarrelhouse.com. Jerry Gaff Nov. 22 — 6 to 9 p.m. 2Blue Frank Singer Duo Anchor In, 3122 West Nov. 20 — 6 to 9 p.m. w/ Phil Papotnik Lake Road. 833.1212. Victor’s at the Bel-Aire Nov. 21 — 6 to 9 p.m. Clarion, 2800W. 8th St. Anchor In, 3122 West Next of Kin belaireclarion.com. Lake Road. 833.1212. Nov. 22 — 9:30 p.m.

PACA presents Venus in Fur un fact: Did you know that the term “masochism” was Finspired by Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Mas- och’s 1870 novel Venus in Furs? The book was a hit in the pop culture, with numerous film and stage adaptations since its release. In fact, Sacher-Masoch’s work even helped in- spire a play-within-a-play with playwright David Ives’ Tony Award-winning work Venus in Fur, which will be on display for a two weekend run at PACA starting Thursday, Nov. 13. Ives’ take on the tale of female seduction and power fea- tures just two characters but packs in plenty of electric di- alogue between its players. The story consists of Thomas Novacheck, a writer and director of a new adaption of Ve- nus in Furs, and his struggle to cast the female lead. After numerous failed attempts, a new actress by the name of Vanda Jordan tries out, leading to an intense audition. GUY JAQUES GUY Directed by Mark Tanenbaum and starring Abbe Tanen- baum and Thaddeus McCants, PACA’s production of Venus in Fur offers up six opportunities to witness lessons in the joys of power and sensuality from the minds of Ives and Sacher-Masoch. – Alex Bieler 8 p.m. Nov. 13-15 and 20-22 // 1505 State St. // paca1505.com

November 12, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 15 CALENDAR

A Newgrass Revolution In a New Erie Venue t’s been eight months since State IStreet hangout the crooked i closed its doors for good. For lovers of local original music, it was a sad day when news hit that the establishment would be no more. Still, it’s not all bad, be- cause in the crooked i’s ashes rose a

new enterprise, one that would still be PHOTO CONTRIBUTED able to showcase area talent, but with a bit of a countrified twist. McCoy’s Barrelhouse and Grill has been putting its stage to good use since it opened earli- er this year and will do so once again when Sean Patrick and the Newgrass Revolution make their way to 1013 State St. The bluegrass band has plenty of punch in their earthy Ameri- cana tunes, pairing personal and dark stories to fuel the band’s own take on string music. Songs like the melancholy “Surrounded By Pines” and the jaunty “Downtown” will endear the group to people looking to head downtown for some good old-fashioned original tunes. It’s encouraging that the 1013 State St. address is still pumping out locally-crafted music, so head to McCoy’s to see Sean Patrick continue a proud tradition of shows in a beloved space. – Alex Bieler 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 // 1013 State St. // mccoysbarrelhouse.com

Doc Holliday’s, 7425 Schultz Frankie and May, 1101 Peninsula Frank Road. dochollidays.net Drive. frankieandmay.com. Nov. 16 — 2 p.m. Old School Erie TimeBank Mercyhurst University, Taylor Little Theater, 501 Nov. 22 — 9 p.m. Potluck Dinner E. 38 St. 824.3000. Sherlock’s, 508 State Nov. 17 — 6 p.m. St. 453.7760. Church of Christ, 2317 W FILM at the Erie Art Grandview Boulevard. Museum presents Tom Stine 636.0205. ‘Life Itself’ Nov. 22 — 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 19 — 7 p.m. Sprague Farm & Brew Works, Thanksgiving Dinner Pairing Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth 22113 U.S. 6, Venango. St. erieartmuseum.org. sleepingchainsaw.com. Nov. 21 — 7 p.m. Presque Isle Wine Cellars, VISUAL ARTS DANCE 9440 W Main Road, North East. 725.1314 x 215. GC Myers Alchemy Exhibit Interactive Dance Demo w/ DJ Brett Fallon FILM Ongoing — All day Kada Gallery, 2632 W. Nov. 21 — 9 a.m. Eighth St. 835.5232. Gannon Yehl Ballroom, Great White Shark 124 W Seventh St. Ongoing — Noon, 4 p.m.. Liminal Spaces: Paintings danceelitecompany.com Tom Ridge Environmental by Kenneth Hall Center, 301 Peninsula Light-Up Night Drive. trecpi.org. Ongoing — All day Electric Parade Bruce Gallery, Doucette Hall, 215 Meadville St., Nov. 22 — 5 p.m. Mysteries of the Edinboro. 732.2513. Franklin PA. Unseen World danceelitecompany.com Ongoing — 2, 5 p.m. Rebecca Signoriello: Tom Ridge Environmental Paintings of People FOOD & DRINK Center, 301 Peninsula Drive. trecpi.org. Ongoing — All day From Vine to Wine at Bruce Gallery, Doucette Wonders of the Arctic Hall, 215 Meadville St., Courtyard Winery Edinboro. 732.2513. Nov. 12 — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Ongoing — 11 a.m., 1, 3 p.m. Courtyard Winery, 10021 Tom Ridge Environmental Architecture of Erie: A W. Main Road, North Center, 301 Peninsula Photographic Survey East. 453.5072. Drive. trecpi.org. Ongoing — All day Harvest Celebration FILM at the Erie Art Cummings Art Gallery, Museum presents Mercyhurst University, 501 Weekends E. 38th St. 824.3000. Nov. 14 to 16 — Noon to 5 p.m. ‘The Tribe’ Lake Erie Wine Country, North Nov. 12 — 7 p.m. Combat Paper: East. lakeeriewinecountry.org. Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth Words Made Flesh St. erieartmuseum.org. Ongoing — All day Ladies Night Doane Hall of Art, Allegheny Nov. 14 — 7 p.m. Edinboro Film Series presents ‘The Devil College, 520 N. Main St., Presque Isle Wine Cellars, Meadville 332.4365. 9440 W. Main Road, North and Daniel Johnston’ East. [email protected]. Nov. 13 — 8:30 p.m. The Anytime Arcade - Joe Pogue Student Center Scot Popp and Karen Dodson Thanksgiving Dinner Cinema, 219 Meadville St., Ongoing — All day Nov. 16 — 3 p.m. Edinboro. 732.2000.

16 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 12, 2014 CALENDAR Glass Growers Gallery, 10 THEATER Nov. 20 to 23 — 7 p.m. E. Fifth St. 453.3758. General McLane High Erie Playhouse presents School, 11761 Edinboro NPAA Schuster ‘Vanya & Sonia & Road, Edinboro 273.1033. COMING UP: Gallery Exhibition Masha & Spike’ II Barbiere di Siviglia Ongoing — All day Nov. 13 to 16 & 19 to 23 — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22 — 12:55 p.m. Schuster Gallery, Gannon Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10th BEN SOLLEE University, 700 Peach St. St. erieplayhouse.org. Mercyhurst University, Mary facebook.com/NPAAonline. D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, 501 E. 38 St. 824.3000. Erie Art Museum A Flea In Her Ear Focus: Fiber Exhibit Nov. 13 to 16 — Friday, Saturday 8 COMMUNITY/ 11.20 7:30 P.M. p.m. & Sunday 2:30 p.m. Ongoing — All day Allegheny College, Vukovich VARIETY MARY D’ANGELO Erie Art Museum, Center, 520 N. Main St. PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Bacon Gallery, 20 E. Meadville 332.3414. Friday Night Writes Fifth St. 459.5477. Ongoing — 8:30 to 11 p.m. ON-STAGE SEATING! Erie Art Museum PACA presents Poet’s Hall, 1136 E. Lake Karen Erst Exhibit ‘Venus in Fur’ Road. 572.6077. Nov. 13 to 15 & 20 to 22 — 8 p.m. Ongoing — All day PACA, 1505 State St. Victorian Holidays 2014 Erie Art Museum, paca1505.com. Ongoing — All day Holstein Gallery, 20 E. Fifth St. 459.5477. Watson-Curtze Mansion, 356 All An Act Theater W. Sixth St. 454.1813 x0. Erie Art Museum Wilbur Adams Presents ‘The Odd Couple’ Exhibit Nov. 14 to 16 & 21 to 23 — 7:30 Blasco Family Art Night Ongoing — All day p.m. Nov. 12 — 6:30 p.m. Erie Art Museum, Main Gallery, All An Act Theater, 652 Raymond M. Blasco, M.D. 20 E. Fifth St. 459.5477. W. 17 St. 450.8553. Memorial Library, 160 E. Front St. 451.6927. Greely Myatt Artist Talk General McLane High Nov. 13 — 7:30 p.m. School Presents ‘The Facade Improvement Doucette Hall 119, Edinboro Phantom of the Opera’ Workshop University, Edinboro. 952.9161. Arrive early for pre-performance music from Erie favorite The Heliotropes and free beer tastings from Lavery Brewing Company, the official brewery of MIAC!

“One of the ‘Top Ten Great Unknown Artists’ of the year.” - NPR Morning Edition ALPHA VIOLENT ALPHA

FILM screens gripping, unreleased The Tribe s an expressive medium, film is unusually well-equipped to translate body language Aand to introduce us to unfamiliar worlds. In Ukrainian filmmaker Myroslav Slabosh- pytskiy’s debut feature The Tribe, both impulses are pushed to unique extremes. Set in a boarding school for deaf teenagers, the film contains no spoken dialogue at all – and no subtitles accompany the considerable use of sign language. This doesn’t make it a silent movie per se – there’s plenty of ephemeral noise to supple- ment the action. But the central narrative, in which a young man named Sergey is initiat- ed into a rough gang of student criminals, occurs without an audible word. Expect some

2014 -15 TICKETS: graphic content in this one, as the main character endures brutal hazing rituals, finds em- SEASON ployment as a pimp, and eventually begins a graphic love affair with one of the prostitutes. miac.mercyhurst.edu Formally, The Tribe might call to mind the mechanics of early cinema. In content, it’s closer to teen dystopias like Lindsay Anderson’s If… or Larry Clark’s Kids. If those don’t ring 814-824-3000 a bell, a more familiar point of reference might be Lord of the Flies, where a lack of adult supervision leads to authoritarian chest-thumping. The Tribe might not be the most diplomatic choice for your Wednesday evening, but it will MIAC stick to your ribs when you wake up the next morning. Come to it with a strong stomach Mercyhurst Institute and an open mind. – Dan Schank for Arts & Culture Check out Ben Sollee at facebook.com/bensollee 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12 // FILM at the Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth St. // facebook.com/FILMErieArtMuseum and on Twitter @bensollee

November 12, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 17 CALENDAR drug free / alcohol free / all ages 145 west 11th street An Event For Horrible People… But For a Good Cause www.basementtransmissions.com [email protected] he tagline of the popular Tgame Cards Against Humani- ty is: “A party game for horrible BASEMENT people.” On Nov. 18 Lavery Brew- ing Company and the Erie Read- TRANSMISSIONS er are teaming up to put on “an event for horrible people, but for a good cause.” Pat Miller, the pub manager at Lavery’s, gave me that reworked tagline as insight into the event, for which he will be emcee. The

quick and dirty is that it will be PHOTO CONTRIBUTED a sort of game show where ten teams of up to four players will compete in a large bout of Cards Against Humanity – with celebrity judges from both Lav- ery’s and the Reader. Teams all register for $20 with proceeds going to benefit local families in need this holiday season through Second Harvest Food Bank. When I asked Pat about the initial response to the “event for horrible people, but for a good cause,” he said the teams are filling up quickly and that he expects to pack the pub for this special occasion. Which is no surprise, since this particular pub doesn’t have bright, glowing rectangles hanging on the walls, ruining the ambiance. Rather, it has become the spot to enjoy a locally-brewed pint while playing tabletop games with your friends. Pat mentioned that both proprietors and patrons of Lavery’s alike love Cards Against Humanity, which is confirmed by the fact that there are several decks always present that people play on regular occasion. Who are the celebrity judges you might be wondering? Representing Lavery will be Own- ers and Founders Jason and Nikki Lavery, and repping the Reader will be our very own Ed- itors-in-chief Adam Welsh and Brian Graham. So mark your calendars, and get ready to enjoy an evening of great brews, fine foods, and a lively party game for horrible people doing something for a good cause. – John Lindvay

6 to 9 p.m. // 128 W. 12th St. // 454.0405

LIVE MUSIC @9:30PM FRI & SAT Nov. 13 — 8 a.m. to noon Erie Together 2014 p.m. & Friday, Saturday 9:30 p.m. ook NO COVER except special events** UPMC Health Plan Community Community Forum Jr’s Last Laugh, 1402 State s R Room, 109 Boston Store Place. Nov. 18 — time TBD St. jrslastlaugh.net. King [email protected]. WED NOV Bayfront Convention Center, TH Nov. 13 — 5 p.m. 1 Sassafras Pier 455.1260. Erie Bayhawks vs. Fort Erie County Public Library, Wayne Mad Ants 26 160 E Front St. 451.6927. Erie Maritime Lecture Nov. 21 — 7 p.m and Movie Series Erie Insurance Arena, 809 MATTY B & THE Erie Bluffs After Nov. 18 — 6:30 p.m. French St. 790.5600. Dark Night Hike 150 E. Front St. 452.2744. ** Nov. 14 — 6:30 p.m. Super Santa Saturday DIRTY PICKLES Erie Bluff State Park, Route Community Singing Nov. 22 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 5, Lake City. 833.7424. Circle with Todd Crowley Clown Hall, 512 Kelso 8PM Drive. 315.4788. 10 YEAR Nov. 18 — 7 p.m. PA State Yo-Yo Contest downstairs FRI 11/14 216 Maple Ave, Corry. Nov. 15 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thanksgiving on REUNION concert STONED & corrycommunitycalendar@ the Peninsula complex! Bayfront Convention gmail.com. BEAUTIFUL Center, 1 Sassafras St. Nov. 22 — 10 a.m. to noon THANKSGIVING EVE +POTWHOLE +THE REMNANTS [email protected]. Erie Otters vs. Lighthouse parking +BROKE BOLAND HENDRIX STYLE Plymouth Whalers area, Presque Isle State ROCK Cozy Christmas Craft Nov. 19 — 11 a.m. Park. trecpi.org. SAT 11/15 & Vendor Show Erie Insurance Arena, 809 Erie Bayhawks vs. Fort SPECIAL GUEST Nov. 15 — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. French St. ottershockey.com. SPIRITUAL SAT TH DEC 6 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wayne Mad Ants GATHERING AT +LIQUID NIXON REZ SHOW ROCK 3108 Sterrettania Road. Fireside Talk - Crows Nov. 21 — 7 p.m CHAFFEE’S FRI 11/21 [email protected]. Nov. 19 — 7 p.m. Erie Insurance Arena, 809 French St. 790.5600. CHICKSTOCK Erie Otters vs. Rotary Pavilion, Presque MATTY B’S XMAS PA RT Y CLOSED Isle State Park. trecpi.org. THANKS CLAIR STUCZYNSKI Kitchener Rangers Decorate Your Own GIVING N I G H T +BROOKE SURGENER Nov. 15 — 7 p.m. Business After Hours Christmas Wreath EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT!! +WHITNEY WRIGHT Erie Insurance Arena, 809 - Gannon University Nov. 23 — 10 a.m. to noon Grab your gear and get here! • 9pm SAT 11/22 French St. ottershockey.com. Nov. 20 — 5 p.m. Tom Ridge Environmental NITE THE HIGH LIFE Center, 301 Peninsula Bill Cosby Gannon University, 130 W. Drive. trecpi.org. No Cover • Drink Specials • Open 8pm Fourth St. 454.7191 x146. +DANI & MARKY G Nov. 16 — 7 p.m. CLASSIC FREE POOL, SHUFFLEBOARD & GAMES ALWAYS!!! ACOUSTIC Warner Theater, 811 Dave Coulier State St. 452.4857. 1921 Peach St. Erie Pa•Private Parties Available•MEMBERS & GUESTS ROCK Nov. 20 to 22 — Thursday 6:30 Contact: [email protected] & find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kingsrookclub

18 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 12, 2014 CALENDAR

Erie Day School Art & Music Festival

o, I don’t want to buy any of your kid’s Ncookies that they’re selling for school. I don’t want one of their stupid coupon books, calendars, scented soaps, or sports memora- bilia, either. But as far as school fundraisers go, this is something to which I will gladly contribute: Erie Day School’s Art & Music Festival. “Erie Day School has so many links to the arts that we figured it would be a great spot to do this,” said Steve Trohoske, jazz bassist

and organizer of the two-day event that will RODRIGUEZ KIM benefit the 8th grade class at Erie Day. “Also, we don’t have much of a ‘festival of the arts’ going on right now, so this might be a perfect time to start something, so we came up with the idea and Erie Day just embraced it.” Poets, dancers, and, of course, musicians will perform both Saturday and Sunday, and works by a host of local artists – including Lena Logvina and Sarah Millspaw, among others – will be available for purchase; so if you’re looking to start your holiday shopping (ugh!) early, listen to some cool tunes by the likes of East Ave, Eric Brewer & Friends, PotWhole, Sean Patrick & The New Grass Revolution, World Of Music’s School of Rock, Steve Tro- D u hoske’s Bass/Drum/Bass, and Zack Orr all while helping out a good cause, well, I’ll see you there – tickets are just $5 for both days, and children under 12 are free. – Cory Vaillancourt 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. // Friday & Saturday Nov. 22 & 23 // 1372 W. Sixth St. // 392.2933 or 572.8876 Ac T e An yUr tUr a W.EdnR.e /Vi i

Edinboro University @Edinboro CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

King’s Rook Club presents Chickstock featuring Claire Stuczynski, Brooke Surgener, and Whitney White hree years ago, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame had a pretty cool exhibit on display titled TWomen Who Rock, a special show focusing on the impacts various femmes have had on the music industry. I’d start listing some of them, but there’s a long list of performers with the XX chromosome that deserve to be mentioned and I do have to follow a word-count. So let’s focus local, because Erie’s going to have its own display of women who rock, except instead of historical memorabilia in a building shaped like a turntable, we’ll be treated to a pretty stellar lineup of some extremely talented locals. Enter Chickstock, a special Friday, Nov. 21 performance at the King’s Rook Club featuring Claire Stuczynski, Brooke Surgener, and Whitney White, a trio of ladies who can put on Special quite a show. 11/12 Preview 11/19 “Sometimes you’ll hear ‘Oh, you’re really good for a girl,’ or people will think that someone Screening! is good because she’s a girl,” Surgener says of some people’s perception of female artists. “No, just focus on the fact that I’m a good songwriter.” The Tribe (2015) Life Itself (2014) And write songs these girls can. The trio will be putting on a display for the free show, Crime/Drama • Rated R • 130 min. Documentary • Rated R • 120 min. playing their own tunes separately, as well as joining together for a few choice cuts, a perfor- mance that should help inspire even more people to commit themselves to music. Knox Legal Advisors LLC “I have girls come to up to me, because I’ll give them confidence to be like ‘Wow, I guess I could do that,’” Surgener says. “When I was younger, girls weren’t playing shows all that often, but now it’s much more common, which is very cool. It’s good for other girls to see and it’s good for other people to see so that we’re not always being stereotyped for having a vagina, but more so for the fact that we’re just good.” You can see just how good Surgener, Stuczynski, and White are for yourself at Chickstock, a night dedicated to women who rock. – Alex Bieler 9 p.m. // 1921 Peach St. // facebook.com/kingsrookclub 7pm Tickets & Trailers: filmsocietynwpa.org $5

November 12, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 19 Ben Franklin Technology Partners Presents 2015 BIG $ 200,000 IDEA CONTEST

Ben Franklin will award one small manufacturer or entrepreneur with a prize package valued at $200,000 to help develop a new product or process.

bigidea.benfranklin.org Application Deadline 814.898.6650 1.20.15 5 PM

UNIQUE JEWELRY 118 Meadville St. Downtown Edinboro 814.734.5858 Small Business OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Saturday Celebration! November 29 & December 1st 10am-5pm both days 25% OFF Hourly give-a-ways! ONE ITEM Family game night demonstrations! 1 item per coupon consignment items excluded Expires 11/25/2014

20 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 12, 2014 CALENDAR

Docksider Gets Freeky with Funk

e’s a superhero – a magician – a bump- Hbump-bump music-makin’ Freek. With bass guitar in nimble hands – and the Bump Assembly beside him – Freekbass is bringing the funk to State Street when he and the band fly from their Cincinnati home base into the Docksider on Saturday, Nov. 15. He was brought up and brewed up in the same funky hotbed that gave the world James Brown’s King Records and Bootsy Collins and the Ohio Players – and that sure shows – but anyone who’s at all familiar with Freekbass’ signature funk knows he’s doing his own thing, and doing it right. “As much as I listen to Sly Stone, Stevie Won- der, OutKast, or George Clinton, I also listen to, groove [to], and feel groups such as Radio- head, Daft Punk, STS9 and DJ Shadow,” he said in a Relix Magazine interview. “So, just like SONYA ZIEGLER SONYA when P-Funk started and were influenced by groups like Zappa, Bowie, and The MC5, these groups of our era are what crawled into my funk.” His current album, Junkyard Waltz, features an eclectic collection of acclaimed musical guests like Mike Gordon, Buckethead, Bernie Worrell, Jen Durkin, and Gary “Mudbone” Cooper, whose sounds feel right at home alongside the mighty Freekbass. And anyone who appreciates funk of the groundbreaking variety will feel right at home at the Docksider this Saturday night. – Ryan Smith 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, // 1015 State St. // facebook.com/DocksiderErie

Kublai Khan invades Erie hen many people think of Wheavy music, bands like Metallica, Slayer, or Anthrax may come to mind. Younger readers might think of Slipknot, or the more underground savvy might start playing a Code Orange song in their heads. But with every gener- ation of metal comes a new defini- tion of what it means to be “heavy,” and come Nov. 15, that definition will be made clear on the Basement Transmissions’ stage. Sherman, Tex.-based metalcore band Kublai Khan is making the trek up to Erie alongside Barrier and Gift Giver, to bring their bru-

tal – and almost impossibly heavy PHOTO CONTRIBUTED – riffage with them. It’s safe to say there won’t be any shortage of open-note chugging and breakdowns that night. Kublai Khan is touring in support of their album Balancing Survival and Happiness released on Artery Recordings earlier this year, featuring elements of both traditional metalcore and hardcore, sometimes comparable to Erie’s own Domestic War. Barrier and Gift Giver are similar in sound, although in my opinion, Barrier is the more interesting of the two, as Gift Giver relies too heavily on shock value in their lyrics. Pine City, Pa.’s Take Over Soldiers and Agathist from Erie open up the bill, setting the stage for the night by playing two distinct styles (TOS being melodic hardcore and Agathist be- ing slightly death metal) that if combined, would essentially create the same sound as the headlining bands. In my opinion, Take Over Soldiers is one of the best newer bands in the general north western Pennsylvania region that I’ve heard in a while, but all of these bands are something not to be missed by anyone who appreciates heavy music, no matter what generation of “heavy” their come from. – Tommy Shannon 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 // Tickets $10 presale $12 day of show // Basement Transmissions, 145 W. 11th St. // facebook.com/basementTransmissions

November 12, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 21 MUSIC REVIEWS

Run The Jewels Run The Jewels 2 Mass Appeal

o say that hip-hop fanatics were excited about the release of Run The Jewels 2 would be an Tunderstatement. I mean, this is a fanbase that raised over $40,000 to have RTJ2 remixed with cat noises (true story). That being said, super rappers El-P and Killer Mike easily met ex- pectations on their blazing second album. Nobody is safe from the dynamic duo’s fiery tongues, from tyrannical cops to Donald Sterling, with the latter being roasted at the end of the blistering “Lie, Cheat, Steal.” RTJ2 packs a powerful 11-track punch, with Mike and El blasting out of the gate with the impassioned “Jeopardy,” never slowing down on bangers like the thumping “Blockbuster Night Part 1” and the powerful – sonically and lyrically – “Early.” From the scorching verses to the inspired production, RTJ2 is a massive success from a duo that seems to be having more fun than anyone else in the business. – Alex Bieler A CONCERT OF CHORAL MUSIC Caribou SUNG BY Our Love THE ERIE RENAISSANCE SINGERS AND Merge THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PAUL CHOIR

STEVEN A. WOODS AND SHARON DOWNEY, CONDUCTORS Remembrance BRYAN TIMM, ORGANIST n Our Love, Dan Snaith’s sixth album under the name Caribou, the Canadian musician tackles Othe topic of love, of course, which results in 10 tracks full of intimate compositions that still DURUFLÉ REQUIEM, OP. 9 AND OTHER SELECTIONS manage to be quite danceable. Album opener “Can’t Do Without You” makes for four minutes of hypnotic dance music that, unless you happen to hate when lines are constantly repeated, should FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC leave you grooving to the shifting track. Fellow single and title track “Our Love” impresses with its ability to maintain its beat throughout the slow-burner of a track. Our Love rewards with succes- SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16 AT 4 PM sive listens, as Snaith imbues a lot of subtlety in the album’s intimate tracks, providing nuanced CATHEDRAL OF ST. PAUL •134 WEST 7TH STREET shifts where some artists may have gone for bombast. With some contributions from artists like Owen Pallett and Jessy Lanza, Snaith’s tribute to his vision of love is a success. – Alex Bieler 814.452.3779 • cathedralofstpaul.org Sloan Commonwealth YEP ROC

o, you’ve never heard of Sloan? That’s because you live 30 miles too far south. In Canada, Swhere the band has been touring and getting radio play for more than twenty years, they are a household name. They are the steadfast rockers of the North: A grungy, straight-ahead heavy rock/pop-garage band that is never pretentious – a kind of a low-budget Oasis, without the glitz or oh-so-superior attitude; instead, just four guys making catchy and accessible rock ‘n’ roll. Em- bracing Canada’s philosophy of individual liberty, each individual member of Sloan has the free- dom to write their own songs, which are then recorded by the group. Since this is a double album, that means they each get four or five tunes. This makes for a surprisingly unified record musically, if not thematically. The only big miss is “Forty-Eight Portraits” – a seventeen-minute sleeper that could have been cut down to a very happy three minutes. Hey, when a band has 200-plus songs, not every one can be a winner. – Bryan Toy

The Lower Eastside Connection The Lower Eastside Connection Self-released

las! The previous iteration of the Lower Eastside Connection that you once knew is no more; Aregardless, the solid repertoire of catchy, energetic, funky tracks on this disc – including the accidentally appropriate, anthemic paean to the now-demolished Heman Janes mansion that seemed to be everywhere this past summer, “Oubliette” – are strong enough to survive the de- parture of keyboardist/singer Pat Troester, because the core of Erie’s reigning “hippie-hop” kings (vocalist Jonny Evans, drummer Chris Head, guitarist/vocalist Dan Head, and bassist Pat Roche) remains intact. While the loss of such a key member may have crippled lesser bands, the LEC will more than make due with the addition of Justin Tapper on guitar and sometimes-electronica art- ist Adam “onewayness” Holquist on keys, which could lend some interesting (and much-needed) new angles to the old favorites on this album. So mourn ye not for the LEC – the king is dead; long live the king! – Cory Vaillancourt

22 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 12, 2014 FEATURE

Pro Wrestling: Alive and well in Erie, Pa. Local organization celebrates 7th anniversary

By: Cory Vaillancourt

rofessional wrestling is a succulent cocktail wiener of truth wrapped in a Pdelicious, flaky crust of theatrical bra- vado. Much like deceased(?) comedian Andy Kaufman (who famously did a perfor- mance-art stint as a woman-wrestling, red- neck-baiting, overly-litigious New York City asshole), that succulent, delicious, flaky treat is junk food for some, and sustenance for others – so much so that professional wrestling has grown from its Steinbeckian Great Depression-era roots as a barnstorm- ing carnie show into a multi-million dollar worldwide entertainment juggernaut. Now I don’t know about you, but when I think about multi-million dollar worldwide entertainment juggernauts, I immediately think of World Wrestling Entertainment – the ubiquitous wrestling league helmed by the McMahon family for more than 60 years that has spawned such colorful cultural fig- ures as Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, the

Professional wrestling has grown from its Steinbeckian Great Depression-era roots into a multi-million dollar PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED worldwide entertainment The Pro Wrestling Rampage 7th Anniversary Spectacular juggernaut. will take place on Nov. 15 at the Saga Club, the location of PWR’s monthly shows.

Iron Sheik, and the Undertaker. Vince McMahon & Co. have undoubtedly gerous individual tag teams. We had to put them in a cage be- taken wrestling to new heights in the past who morphs into cause one of the referees got injured during half-century, but if you look closely, near and literally lives his one of their matches, last month.” the edges of the gigantic shadow cast by character. When I Krimson – a deranged, Joker-like figure – this megalithic multimedia conglomerate, questioned him on blew some sort of red mist into the referee’s you’ll see – in the tiny social clubs and dingy such routine banal- face, temporarily blinding him. darkened bars and drafty high school gym- ities of real life as “He won’t be back for some time,” Scott nasiums, in hundreds of cities across North however, PWR itself boasts nearly 60 partici- his day gig and how he got into wrestling, he says of the unfortunate ref. America – that beneath that gigantic shad- pants in all, some of whom come from as far acted like I was an idiot who was questioning Regardless, Scott is optimistic and insistent ow thrive a plethora of small, independent as Toronto to appear at events like their up- the very sun in the sky. about the future of professional wrestling in leagues, like Pro Wrestling Rampage right coming “7th Anniversary Spectacular.” His day gig, he told me, is being Big League. Erie. Through the matches PWR holds, and here in Erie. “It’s going to be spectacular,” Scott dead- All day. Every day. the promo videos they shoot, PWR is reach- “Pro Wrestling Rampage is the best wres- pans. “We have two of Erie’s best wrestlers And he’s always been a wrestler, just like ing a hungry fan base eager for bigtime tling bang-for-your-buck anywhere going,” going one-on-one for the Heavyweight Title. the universe has always been here since the wrestling in a small-town atmosphere. says Jamie Scott, owner of the promotion. Big League John McChesney will defend his Beginning, since the Alpha. “We’re hungry,” he says of the company’s “We pride ourselves on being high-action, belt against [former tag team partner] Ome- But can Big League best “Omega?” long-term goals. “We’re not going to rest on high intensity entertainment.” ga Aaron Draven.” I plan on showing up to this 7th Anniver- our laurels, because we haven’t made it yet.” PWR does a monthly show at the Saga Club, As though the existing intrigues of that sary Spectacular to find out. If you do, too, PWR's 7th Anniversary Spectacular takes generally on the second Saturday of the storyline aren’t sufficient, McChesney del- you’ll also catch the main event: A steel place on Saturday, Nov. 15th at the Saga Club, month, while also performing various ran- icately implied to me that he would get the cage tag-team title match. Krimson and War 3828 Washington Ave. Doors open at 6:15. dom shows as opportunities arise – like last better of his friend-turned-foe during the Child – known as the “Dead Wrestling Soci- Tickets are $13, $11, $10, and $5 for students summer’s event in conjunction with the Erie aforementioned contest. ety” – will defend the belts they just won last under 16. For more information, check out Sea Wolves baseball team at Jerry Uht Park, “I’m gonna beat that dude’s ass,” he tells me month against the men they took it from – www.Facebook.com/ProWrestlingRam- during which a ring was set up on the field by phone one bleary eve, “because I am the “Homegrown Heroes” Bigtime Bill Collier page. and wrestlers from PWR squared off against man of Erie Pennsylvania.” and Jimi the Hippie. each other. These events can involve up to 30 “Big League” is a great example of the “They’ve been feuding since this summer,” Email Cory Vaillancourt at cVaillancourt@ “personalities” – including wrestlers, man- Kaufmannesque and Kafkaesque duality of Scott tells me. “It’s been getting violent, and ErieReader.com or find him on Twitter @ agers, announcers, referees, and handlers; this endeavor – a highly trained, highly dan- really, there’s no end in sight with these two VLNCRT. Kay Fabian contributed to this report.

November 12, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 23 ARTS & CULTURE

Tom Green — Still Crazy After All These Years

Comedy legend makes first Erie appearance

By: Cory Vaillancourt lthough comedian Tom Green first gained international notice with Ahis rude, crude, and socially unac- ceptable brand of jackassery in the late ‘90s with his uproarious gag-based MTV talk- er, The Tom Green Show, his comedic roots lie in standup. Performing in Ottawa-area comedy clubs as a 15-year old, Green honed the razor-sharp wit that would one day lead him to guest-host for David Letterman, ap- pear in several movies, and grace the cover of Rolling Stone – all before the age of 30. Nowadays, Green hosts a popular pod- cast as well as a weekly TV show on Marc Cuban’s AXS-TV network, but he still con- tinues to blur the line between art and life in much the same way Andy Kaufman did (does?), and has been experiencing a bit of a resurgence as a standup comedian of late. Accordingly, he’s about to make his first-ev- er performance in Erie, and I recently had the chance to chat with him – which was, ummm, interesting… as you’d probably ex- pect from a guy who once painted stripes all over his parents’ house while they were on vacation. Cory Vaillancourt: Hi, Tom Green; thanks for your time today. Tom Green: Hey, great to talk to you. CV: I’m excited to talk to you because I CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED saw Freddy Got Fingered in the theater years ago, and what I’ve always wanted to ask you since then is if I could have my money back. who’s done any sort of research on the coming a modern-day Rocky Horror Picture Tom Green: Comedian Tom Green TG: [Laughing] No, it’s too late for that. matter knows that Freddie Got Fingered is a Show. rose to fame in the ‘90s with his Andy CV: Awwww… Alright. Have you been to hugely popular movie worldwide, has mil- CV: Perhaps I’ll have to give it another Kaufman-esque brand of comedy on Erie before? lions of fans, and is a very profitable film, shot before you get here, and I’ll let you the Tom Green Show but is returning TG: I have not, but I’m looking forward to which is more than can be said for most know how that works out. to his stand-up roots, as he’s on tour it. films that come out of Hollywood. It’s made TG: Sure! CV: Oh, it’s great, you’ll love it. And… lots and lots of people laugh, made over $35 CV: So if you’re done crucifying me on now, which features an upcoming TG: So you’re one of the people who didn’t million on DVD alone, and it was a very Freddy Got Fingered, let’s talk about your stop in Erie at JR’s Last Laugh. get Freddy Got Fingered? low-budget movie. comedic style, which has always been a bit CV: I didn’t get Fingered. So it’s one of those things that like, neg- provocative in an Andy Kaufman kind of TG: You’re sort of like a middle-of-the- ativity can sort of permeate through the way and seems to be mostly about putting your upcoming performance here in Erie? road kind of guy? You like your comedy internet and people like yourself can end people into awkward situations. TG: It’s going to be hilarious. We’re go- bland, do ya? up getting false perceptions, when it’s com- TG: Well, Freddy Got Fingered was an ex- ing to have a great time. If anyone’s seen CV: I’ve certainly never been accused of pletely the opposite. ample of that. It was definitely something the special I did on Showtime, they’ll know being a Paul Reiser fan. So hopefully you don’t write that in your that was supposed to make people uncom- what to expect – it’s sort of a high-energy, TG: [Laughing] The movie was definitely article, that Freddy Got Fingered was not a fortable, and you have a large segment of ridiculous, stand-up comedy show with designed to make fun of people who are good movie, because a lot of your readers people that are laughing at the discomfort lots of crowd interaction. I really look for- closed-minded. will probably think that you don’t know of some of the middle-of-the-road people ward to seeing everyone there. It’s like a CV: Well, you did win a Razzie for that, what you’re talking about. in the audience who don’t know what to party – lots of jokes and good times. We’ll and I think you were the only person to ever CV: I guess I’ll leave that up to them. expect next or can’t believe what they’re drink some beers and just celebrate life to- show up and accept the award? TG: Absolutely. You will be amazed at looking at it. That’s really the joke. gether with a bunch of people who want to TG: Yeah, well, that’s the worst award how many people love the movie. I’ve ba- So I take it you’re not a fan of Andy come out and enjoy some absurd comedy. show in the history of award shows. They sically been touring the world for the last 6 Kaufman either? were never even able to get a TV deal for or 7 years doing standup, and at the end of CV: It’s sacrilegious to say such things to Tom Green appears at Jr.’s Last Laugh, 1402 that show, so the Razzies should give them- my shows I shout out a line from the mov- me, Tom. State St., on Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, selves a Razzie for having never succeeded ie and the entire audience begins shouting Kaity [Tom’s assistant, who is monitoring Nov. 15, where he’ll perform two shows each as an awards show. out their favorite lines from the movie and the call]: Cory, we’re going to have time for evening. For more information on Tom, visit [Growing slightly agitated] But negativity it’s a hilarious experience when you realize just one more question. www.TomGreen.com. For tickets, log on to in our society permeates throughout ev- that every city in the world – whether it’s CV: How’s Tom Green Live on AXS-TV do- www.JrsLastLaugh.net or call 461.0911. erything, right? It cuts through everything. Sydney, Australia, or Melbourne, New York ing? Negativity is very pervasive in our online City, Chicago, or Erie, Pennsylvania – you TG: Yeah, we’re having a great time, we’re Cory Vaillancourt can be contacted at society, so it’s easy to make fun of things have thousands of people who have mem- loving it. Tune in every Thursday. [email protected], and you that are different, but the fact is, anybody orized every line in the film. It’s kind of be- CV: And what can people expect from can follow him on Twitter @VLNCRT.

24 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 12, 2014 TECHNOLOGY

Geeked Out Verizon Wireless Under Fire for Mercyhurst Intelligence Professor wants to help Ad-Targeting Program pre-entrepreneurs with Quickstarter By: Brian X. Chen By: John Lindvay oogle and Facebook are dation says it is concerned that y this point in time, not the only companies Verizon could be violating a I’m sure many of Gtracking your online ac- federal law requiring phone Byou are aware of the tivities to customize ads. Veri- companies to keep custom- massive crowdfunding zon Wireless has recently come er data confidential. In Sep- platform Kickstarter. It has under fire from privacy advo- tember, Verizon agreed to a democratized project fund- cates for running a similar pro- $7.4 million settlement with ing and has changed the gram on its cellular network. the Federal Communications game for many entrepre- Verizon quietly started its Commission, which found that neurs with little to no start- ad-targeting program two years Verizon’s landline business up capital looking to fund ago and this year teamed up had failed to inform two mil- their first big project. Kris with other data management lion customers of their privacy Wheaton, an intelligence and advertising companies. rights, including the ability to professor at Mercyhurst Late last month, Jacob Hoff- opt out of marketing programs. University, wants to lever- man-Andrews of the Electron- Mr. Hoffman-Andrews said in age crowdfunding plat- ic Frontier Foundation noticed an interview that he was con- forms, like Kickstarter, to the program and sounded the cerned about what marketing help usher in more pre-en- alarm. companies and government trepreneurs into our area “Verizon users might want agencies like the National Secu- and help them get their to start looking for another rity Agency could do with these first project off the ground. provider,” he wrote in a blog web-browsing identifiers. They ROCIO LARA ROCIO The program is called post on Monday about the pro- could stitch together someone’s Quickstarter. The goal is gram, which involves injecting anonymous identifier with web to help address many of the larg- crowdfunding platforms, which And ultimately, he adds, that by a header containing a unique, cookies to create a detailed pro- er issues that plague our region: in Kris’ experience, draw in mon- the end of a campaign, a prospec- anonymous identifier into a file that follows the person’s Stunted growth of new business- ey from outside the region. tive business owner will know if Verizon Wireless user’s request web-browsing activities, even es, lack of entrepreneurship, and The prospect of having funds he or she has a viable product. for a web page. “Indeed, while after Verizon generates a new brain drain. enter our region through crowd- And it’s no secret that Erie – a we’re concerned about Veri- anonymous identifier for the There are many organizations funding for projects is good news city home to four colleges – is rife zon’s own use of the header, user, he said. already looking to aid in this ef- considering the current business with young and industrious indi- we’re even more worried about Verizon is not alone in its ef- fort, but Quickstarter is different. climate Erie faces with the loom- viduals with ideas of their own. what it allows others to find out fort to expand into mobile mar- While most nonprofits in the re- ing exit of major employers, like Hell, any night at the Plymouth about Verizon users.” keting. AT&T acknowledged gion are eager and ready to help GE. Kris adds that when money Tavern you will hear at least five Verizon’s ad-targeting meth- that it was testing a similar small-business owners take the comes in through crowdfunding, people tell you something Erie od groups these identifiers program, which involved in- next step in growing their busi- it is easier to keep the money in- desperately needs. Quickstarter into different buckets of de- serting a numeric code into a nesses, there is a lack of what Kris side our city’s economy. In his can be their path to actually com- mographics and interests, so user’s web requests. This code calls “pre-entrepreneurs.” own experience with his two suc- mitting to some of the talk that if a website is looking to serve would change every 24 hours, “The difference between what I cessful Kickstarter campaigns, spills so easily out of their mouths certain ads to a specific type of and if AT&T goes forward with am trying to do and what they do he partnered with other local and is left all too often lying on customer, it will look for those the program, it will allow users is captured in the differences be- businesses, such as Silkscreen the bar. buckets and serve up those ads. to opt out completely, meaning tween a person who wants to run Unlimited and Printing Concepts, Currently, Kris is running the Here’s the kicker: Even though the identifier would stop being a business and the person who to keep his costs low while deliv- first Kickstarter that is being con- Verizon allows users to opt inserted altogether, according just wants to get a project done,” ering high-quality products to ducted under the Quickstarter out of the program by calling to Emily Edmonds, a director of Kris explains. the backers who pledged from program. Perhaps you are famil- a phone number or changing corporate communications for That is, Quickstarter is geared around the world. iar with Erie’s own pop-up Thai their privacy settings, Verizon AT&T. to those individuals who have lit- This is something he wants to restaurant, Like My Thai, run by keeps tacking an identifier onto “Many different companies tle or no experience and want to foster even further, as Quickstart- Michael and Elisabeth Augustine. the customer’s web browsing use advertising identifiers to- learn the ropes while delivering er begins in earnest with its goal Right now, they are running a for “other authentication pur- day, including handset and on their project. of facilitating between 10 and 25 Kickstarter to change from a pop- poses,” such as logging in to operating system manufac- Kris thinks that this will syn- projects in its first year – all while up to a brick-and mortar-restau- Verizon’s apps, according to the turers,” Ms. Edmonds said in chronize nicely with institutions utilizing local businesses to help rant within our city. They have company. a statement. “We believe that already in the area that operate these pre-entrepreneurs work on already hit their funding goal and A Verizon spokeswoman de- we would be providing indus- as business incubators/acceler- projects that are sourcing fund- are trending to surpass it by 500 clined to comment but point- try-leading privacy protec- ators. A successful Quickstarter ing from outside our community. percent before the deadline for ed to a company document tions.” could then feed into these larger A benefit to going down the contributions hits. explaining its marketing pro- The Electronic Frontier Foun- nonprofit operations and help path of crowdfunding is that it So how about it: Anyone got any gram. In the document, Veri- dation said it was weighing grow our economy in areas that often moves faster than tradition- bright ideas and want to try and zon says it frequently changes its options for taking action will offer a wider variety of work al business startups do. “A new get it crowdfunded? Quickstarter the anonymous identifier to against Verizon. It could file a other than more traditional ar- company has to craft a marketing may just be what we need to turn protect customer privacy. The complaint with the F.C.C., file eas, like manufacturing or insur- message and develop a business ideas into new businesses. company adds that it is unlikely a class-action complaint or ask ance. In some ways, this program plan,” Kris says. “With crowd- that websites and ad companies state attorneys general to inves- could groom the next generation funding, you have to do the same John Lindvay can be contacted could create profiles on cus- tigate the matter. of businessmen and women who thing, but the reaction is far more at jLindvay@ErieReader. tomers, because the identifiers will help drive our economy in immediate and far more market com, and you can follow him change often. © The New York Times 2014 // the coming years – all through driven.” on Twitter at @FightStrife. The Electronic Frontier Foun- Sponsored by: Epic WebStudios

November 12, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 25 SPORTS

past. with the PIAA eligibility rule that is not as ER Sports It would be hard for the alumni of Central stringent as the ESD. Tech to accept, but feelings need to be put Unfortunately, this will also call for a gutsy Addressing the Future of Athletics in the Erie School District aside when running a business – and educa- vote by the board. Will they be tough enough tion is a huge business. Check the taxpayer to make the right decision? Time will tell. By James R. LeCorchick dollars being spent on public education. Also, I would like to point out that school The Academy Alumni had to witness their board member John Harkins was at this General McLane school close, and then the Tech faithful lost steering committee get-together and ap- standout Drew their school when it was changed to Central peared concerned and ready to address the Astorino went on to and then Central Tech. I felt bad when my serious issues. become a three-year grade school (St. Andrew's) was shut down, In my heart, I believe he cares and will starter at Penn State but I knew it was the correct move and I make the correct decisions. didn't run out and start a campaign to keep RECENTLY, I ran into former General Mc- University after a it open. Lane and Penn State star Drew Astorino, fateful call from Joe It had to be done, and I accepted it. and it reminded me that he is definitely one Paterno, who offered There is only one problem in eliminating of the finest all-around athletes to ever per- him the squad’s last athletics from a high school: The fact that form in the area, the ex-lancer star leading scholarship. it's a political bombshell – and I'm not sure GM to state championships in both football the Erie School Board has the intestinal for- and basketball – in the same school year. An titude to make the move, as proven a few almost unheard of happening, ever, in the the AD at East and Central years back. state of Pennsylvania.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED Tech (yes, that's now one Everything was in place several years ago While flying under the radar as one of position) Greg Holland, to move athletics out of Central High School, Erie's best, he also was virtually unnoticed SHORT TIME ago, Erie School Dis- and Kenny Brasington, who has great in- but the Board buckled under pressure from coming out of high school after his senior trict Superintendent Jay Badams sight, as he has been on both sides of the ball some Central students and parents and football season despite the incredible year Acalled and asked me to be part of a (pun intended) as a head football coach and some alums. Hopefully, they have tough- he had. steering committee to look into the future of a high school principal in the ESD. ened up in the past few years and realize the While a guest on my Sports Blitz show, athletics in the district, and for a variety of The old saying "that's easier said than done" situation they are in charge of has become the proud General McLane grad explained reasons, I was delighted. could pertain here, as there are many out- the laughingstock of the area. how he had accepted a scholarship offer Just for starters, I was excited that the su- side influences that have to be considered The one argument that will be heard is to Kent State but had it rescinded when he perintendent was interested enough to ad- when dealing with public schools, including there will be less teams and consequently told the Ohio school he was going to look dress this issue that borders between dis- the PIAA (and that's a story – or a series of less athletes participating. This is entirely around. graceful and almost laughable. I could never stories – that would be best left for another incorrect, as more students will come out To make a long story short, despite his in- understand why alums, parents of current time). However, there were numerous prob- to be part of a winning program instead of credible credentials at GM, he was left with students, athletes, and people that are just lems identified and many solutions offered. being associated with losing teams that are one offer – a potential scholarship to Iowa. plain concerned about high school sports I know these problems need to be ad- getting crushed. However, on the day he was going to call the in the City have not been displaying outrage dressed, but it's only possible to deal with a There are exceptions to the trend (boys bas- Hawkeyes, Joe Paterno called him at home the past 20 years about the situation. few at a time. Also, some of these items are ketball is solid), but not enough to negate and informed him the Nittany Lions had a So to make myself perfectly clear, I re- nearly impossible to deal with for a variety this move. scholarship to offer. sponded immediately to Badams' request of reasons, including the ever-popular "lack This must be done! Astorino was thrilled and immediately told with a resounding "yes," as I have been an ad- of funds." NUMERO DOS – I hate to admit when I'm the coaching legend he would gladly join the vocate of this type of action for many years. I I have personally selected my top two neg- wrong, but I was sort of wrong on this one: PSU program. Basically the Edinboro-native was honored and delighted to be asked, and atives and fully believe the solutions are ex- The C-average rule. went from an afterthought (he received the I would've also been extremely hypocritical tremely doable – and can get done without When it was first instituted, I thought it last scholarship PSU had to offer) to a three- not to accept. any expense. That's correct! And I do mean was a great idea, and it was, for a while. year starter. This may've been a surprise to The first – and maybe only meeting (I'm not without the outlay of any cash whatsoever. However, times have changed, and it's now Penn State fans elsewhere, but not to the sure about this) – was held recently and last- That would be a beautiful thing nowadays. time for this rule to also be changed. area fans, who knew Astorino as a great ath- ed a little more than two hours. I was incred- The only problem is that it will take some I don't know if the Erie School District had lete with great character and desire. ibly impressed with the group of about 15 guts from the Erie School Board, and that is done a study to see if this rule has worked – One of the humblest and classiest young people that was assembled, the group defi- always extremely iffy when talking about a shame on them if they didn’t – but, without men I met in my 40 years of covering sports, nitely united in the common goal of making political bombshell situation or two. A gutsy having any data to work with, I believe this he is a role model that coaches from every sports teams in the district better, as well as move from politicians and the correct thing move has outlived its usefulness. Now that high school – and grade school – in the area attempting to come up with a solution of to do aren't exactly synonymous. the number of potential athletes participat- should introduce to their student athletes. how to get more young people involved in NUMERO UNO – This is inevitable: Consol- ing in high school athletics has dwindled Personally, I think he would be a great athletics. idation. dramatically, the ESD has to try and reach coach, but then there's no doubt he's going Many years of experience were represented There is not enough talent to go around out to all potential athletes. to be successful at any venture he pursues. in this group, and the wisdom – and passion for three schools, and actually there real- Over the past 30 years, I have seen many When I introduced him on the radio, I – was evident with the many ideas that were ly isn't enough to have two very successful athletes coming out of eighth grade just dis- said, "I want to welcome Drew Astorino floated around during the session. programs in the city. Ideally, there should be appear off the charts. When I inquired as to who led General McLane to state cham- Oftentimes with a group this large, two sports in just one school, but that is never where they went, I was told they didn't feel pionships in football and basketball." He hours isn't nearly long enough, but every- going to happen, so athletics in two schools they were capable of maintaining a C-aver- explained, "I helped General McLane, with one had their say and listened intently to is the best solution at the moment. age and subsequently dropped out of play- many great teammates, win two state the other members, even if they disagreed. Actually, there are at least five teams in the ing sports. championships." There's no doubt everyone shared a common district that didn't have enough athletes to Needless to say, the other option was run- Astorino, whose brother Matt is a starter feeling that the negativity regarding athlet- fill out rosters. ning the streets rather than be in a struc- on one of Gannon's best football teams ever ics in the Erie School District had reached I believe there should be an east-side school tured setting after school. This needs to be (see a trend here?), is a Territory Manager epic proportions. and a west-side school, and the only logical repaired. (North Atlantic Pet Sales) for Boehringer I do not want to slight anyone in atten- solution would be to take athletics out of As I said before, I hate to admit being Ingelheim. dance, but four people that shared extreme- Central Tech and have teams at East High wrong, but I was wrong! ly pertinent information (from my view- School and Strong Vincent High School, SV Fortunately, this can be dealt with extreme- James R. LeCorchick can be contacted at point) were: former City Athletic Director and East both retaining the current names ly easily. With one vote by the Erie School [email protected], and you Gus Picardo, current AD John Dahlstrand, and keeping the tradition of the schools Board, this rule can be changed to coincide can follow him on Twitter @JRLSports.

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